New Police Chief Selected For Stamford

STAMFORD, CT — On Wednesday, Mayor David Martin announced Chris Murtha has been appointed as Stamford's new Police Chief. Murtha, 53, currently serves as the Deputy Chief for Maryland’s Prince George’s County.

He is set to become the department's 16th Police Chief and will oversee 287 officers and staff.

"I believe Chief Murtha will prove to be a phenomenal addition to our already impressive department," Martin said in a release. "Stamford’s Police Department has a reputation for keeping Stamford the safest City in New England, maintaining positive community relations, and proactively taking advantage of new techniques and technologies to benefit our community. Deputy Chief Murtha's career shows he shares the same values that have made our Police Department so successful, and he has faced the challenges that law enforcement confronts every day. I believe he is inheriting an exceptional department, incredible personnel, and I expect great things will come from his leadership of the fine men and women who make up Stamford's Police Department."

According to the release, Murtha has spent decades working in law enforcement and 20 years specifically at Prince George's County. In that time, he has worked with diverse communities, overseen double-digit crime reduction numbers, commanded a bureau of over 1,000 officers and seven districts responsible for the safety of nearly 1 million residents across 500 square miles and managed a department budget of $360 million.

Murtha's credentialed resume, strong relations with community leaders and consistent professionalism throughout the hiring process were cited as reasons he was considered an ideal candidate to lead the department.

"Chief Murtha has the experience, values and professionalism Stamford demands from its Police Chief," Director of Public Safety Ted Jankowski said in a release. "He has played a key role in helping Prince George’s County reduce crime at an incredible rate and instrumental in bringing about positive change using technology, innovation, collaboration and communicating within the Prince George's County Police Department. With his impressive track record of performance and the support of the brave men and women of the Stamford Police Department, I am confident he will excel in his role as Police Chief here in Stamford."

Murtha succeeds Police Chief Jonathan Fontneau, a 38-year veteran who served as Chief for seven years and announced his retirement in January. Fontneau, the city's 15th police chief, received the Distinguished Chief Award in 2015 from the Police Commissioners Association of Connecticut.

"I have truly been blessed to have been given this opportunity to have served the City of Stamford as its police chief for the past several years," Fontneau said in a message to the department earlier this year. "I have worked alongside such wonderful, dedicated professional police officers that risk their own safety day in, day out to keep the rest of us safe."

The search for a new police chief began on Jan. 4, one day after Fontneau announced his retirement. Martin subsequently assembled an advisory committee made up of members of his administration and well-respected community leaders, including Jankowski, Chair of the Police Commission Tim Abbazia, former President of Stamford's NAACP Jack Bryant, Executive Director for Building One Community Catalina Horak, resident and human resources professional Constance Hubbard, Director of Administration Michael Handler and former President of the Board of Representatives Randy Skigen.

A list of over 37 qualified applicants was assembled for consideration, including internal candidates from within the department. Eleven candidates were then selected for interviews, ultimately resulting in a recommendation to Martin to select Murtha.

"As a group, we conducted an exhaustive search meeting with community and other partners while interviewing and vetting numerous candidates," Abbazia said in a release. "The final determination of the committee was to present Chief Chris Murtha's name forward to the Mayor for consideration as Stamford's next Police Chief. We wish him all the best and success in his new position and are ready to support him as needed."

Prior to serving as Deputy Chief, Murtha served in leadership roles for various units, including Bureau of Patrol, District Station Command, Crime Scene Investigations Division, Special Operations Division, District Station Command, Bureau Command Special Services Section and Internal Affairs.

Throughout his career, he has coordinated large-scale projects with outside agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the United States Secret Service.

"Chief Murtha has been a valued member of my command staff for his leadership and determination," Prince George's County Police Chief Henry Stawinski said in a release. "He has earned my respect, and the respect of his peers, for his honor and commitment to accountability while serving this department. I have all the confidence his experience and character will serve him in his new role as Chief of the Stamford Police Department and I wish him the best."

Murtha was named Police Officer of the Year in 2004 and has received the Prince George's County Department's Gold Medal of Valor and Silver Medal of Valor awards for outstanding service in the line of duty in the apprehension of individuals while experiencing direct gunfire.

He has received Congressional recognition for "outstanding and invaluable service to the community" and other awards for the "professional and courageous actions displayed during incidents."